Religion & Temples

1. Non dago eliza hurbilena?

   Non da-go e-li-za hur-bi-le-na?

   Where is the nearest church?

   Usage

   Used to find the nearest church for worship

   Grammar Note

   "Hurbilena" = "hurbil" (near) + superlative -ena, "the nearest". It follows the noun (eliza hurbilena = the nearest church)

2. Zer ordutan hasten da meza?

   Zer or-du-tan has-ten da me-za?

   What time does Mass begin?

   Usage

   Used to ask Mass start time; the Basque Country has strong Catholic traditions

   Grammar Note

   "Zer ordutan" = "at what time". "Zer" = what; "ordutan" = "ordu" (hour) + locative -tan

3. Bisitariak ongi etorriak al dira mezara?

   Bi-si-ta-ri-ak on-gi e-tor-ri-ak al di-ra me-za-ra?

   Are visitors welcome at Mass?

   Usage

   Used to check if travellers can attend a local church service

   Grammar Note

   "Ongi etorri" = "welcome" (literally "well come"). "Etorriak" = "etorri" (come) + plural -ak, agreeing with the plural subject "bisitariak" (the visitors)

4. Zuen sinesmena errespetatzen dut.

   Zu-en si-nes-me-na er-res-pe-ta-tzen dut.

   I respect your faith.

   Usage

   Used to show respect when interacting with people of different faiths

   Grammar Note

   "Zuen" = your (plural). "Sinesmena" = the faith: "sinesmen" + definite -a

5. Zapata kendu behar al dut?

   Za-pa-ta ken-du be-har al dut?

   Do I need to remove my shoes?

   Usage

   Used before entering a religious site to ask about shoe removal customs

   Grammar Note

   "Kendu behar dut" = "I need to remove". "Al" is the yes/no question particle

6. Hau eliza bat ala ermita bat da?

   Hau e-li-za bat a-la er-mi-ta bat da?

   Is this a church or a hermitage?

   Usage

   Used to identify a religious building; the Basque Country has many rural hermitages

   Grammar Note

   "Ala" means "or". "Hau ... bat ala ... bat da" presents two alternatives in a question

7. Zein da inguruko toki santuena?

   Zein da in-gu-ru-ko to-ki san-tu-e-na?

   What is the most sacred place in this area?

   Usage

   Used to learn about the most sacred religious site in the area

   Grammar Note

   "Santuena" is the superlative of "santu" (holy/sacred) using suffix -ena

8. Otoitzerako kandela bat piztu nahi nuke.

   O-toi-tze-ra-ko kan-de-la bat piz-tu na-hi nu-ke.

   I would like to light a candle for prayer.

   Usage

   Used to express a wish to light a prayer candle at a church

   Grammar Note

   "Otoitzerako" = "otoitz" (prayer) + destinative suffix -erako (for the purpose of)

9. Jantzi egokia behar al da?

   Jan-tzi e-go-ki-a be-har al da?

   Is appropriate dress required?

   Usage

   Used before visiting a religious site to ask about dress codes

   Grammar Note

   "Behar da" = "it is needed". "Al" is the interrogative particle that marks a yes/no question

10. Eskerrik asko zuen harreragatik.

    Es-ker-rik as-ko zu-en har-re-ra-ga-tik.

    Thank you for your hospitality.

    Usage

    Used to thank a religious community for their welcome

    Grammar Note

    "Harreragatik" = "harrera" (reception/welcome) + causal -gatik (for/because of)

Browse all TravelPhrases languages